The Turning Point [Finale]

The hooded god stopped in front of the young mage with golden hair, who met their gaze calmly and decisively.

"Do you hate monsters, little girl?" the god asked with a mischievous smile.

"Well, of course. Why wouldn't I hate them?" Althea replied sharply, playing along with the god's game.

"Oh, is that so... Then do you forgive your own weakness? Your heart seems to be led astray by a world that made you weak," the god insinuated, their tone dripping with manipulation.

Althea gathered her thoughts before answering. "Naturally, I would forgive my weakness. It is through embracing it that I learn how to become strong."

Hearing her response, the god's smile twitched slightly. They hadn't expected the young girl to answer so cunningly.

Turning their attention to Ais, who had been hiding behind Althea, the god spoke directly to her. Ais looked stubborn and vulnerable, caught in the grip of conflicting emotions.

"How about you, little one? You seem conflicted, trapped in the grips of an impulse tearing you apart. You're quite an apostle of revenge seeking power... a pure swordswoman starving for strength. However, you seem not know how to contain the black flame of destruction hidden inside you."

The god spoke of Ais's fears and thoughts without hesitation, causing her to recoil further behind Althea, trying to shield herself from the god's hypnotic voice.

Meanwhile, Althea remained unaffected by the god's enchanting words. She crossed her arms, a touch of defiance in her expression, and inquired, "Excuse me for my rudeness, but who are you?"

"My name is Thanatos, my dear," The god replied with a charming voice, attempting to bewitch the girl in front of him.

Yet Althea shrugged her shoulders dismissively and responded, "Alright then, Mister Thanatos. I thank you for pointing out all of my sister's flaws."

"You're welcome, dear. I'm just doing my job as..."

"However, those you just mentioned are none of your concern. So, please stop beating around the bush and let's get straight to the point, what do you want from us?" Althea interrupted, her voice firm and resolute.

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Thanatos was taken aback by Althea's directness, momentarily caught off guard. However, he quickly regained his composure and smiled wryly.

"Ah yes, I'm here to help you two."

"Oh, really? And how do you intend to help us?" Althea raised her eyebrows with curiosity, though a lingering sense of suspicion remained in her mind.

Thanatos extended his hand towards the young mage, his voice laced with a sinister charm. "If you two come with me, I can grant everything you desire. Power, magic—anything you name, it can be yours."

Althea pondered his words, her mind racing with possibilities. She turns back with a mischievous smile.

"That sounds like a tempting offer..." she said playfully, her words causing Ais to furrow her brows in concern while Thanatos grinned widely.

However, the next words that left Althea's lips surprised them both. "Unfortunately, I will have to decline."

Thanatos's grin faltered for a moment, replaced by a look of surprise. "Oh? And why is that?"

"Because I don't make deals with the personification of death himself," Althea declared firmly, her voice filled with unwavering resolve.

Thanatos's surprise turned into amusement, and a cynical chuckle escaped his lips. "Well, well. You're quite an interesting one, aren't you?"

Althea met his gaze, her eyes shining with defiance. "I may be young and inexperienced, but I'm not stupid to compromise my principles for power."

Hearing the girl's words, the god stopped smiling and shrugged. "Oh well, I guess it's a missed opportunity—"

Thanatos, losing his godly splendor and enchanting visage, revealed his true nature as a shallow being. A flippant smile crossed his face as Althea and Ais exchanged puzzled glances.

"And here I thought I could win over the rumored Doll Princess Duo... Urgh, if only you had fallen for it, you could have sent numerous souls to the heavens as followers of my beloved Death," Thanatos explained, revealing his true intention.

The two sisters flinched, sensing the darkness that emanated from the god's twisted mind.

"Man, I really messed this up. You were much smarter than I expected," Thanatos admitted with a mix of frustration and amusement.

While Thanatos's true self was exposed, an ominous chill ran up the sisters' spines. The atmosphere shifted, and his degenerate nature became more apparent.

Ais, feeling the madness radiating from the god, clung tightly to her sister, seeking solace and protection from the menacing presence before them.

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Althea's gaze hardened as she looked at the god she had rejected—Thanatos. The revelation of his true nature had left a bitter taste in her mouth, but she refused to let doubt consume her.

"So, this is your true colors, Thanatos," she stated with steely resolve—her voice firm and unwavering.

Thanatos's wry smile remained plastered on his face, unaffected by Althea's remark.

"Of course, you've seen through my facade," he replied, his tone laced with amusement. "But don't be too quick to judge, little one. After all, I am the God of Death, and my true nature is not meant to be comforting."

Althea snorted in confidence—refusing to be intimidated by the god's words. "I have no intention of seeking comfort from the likes of you. Your twisted games hold no power over us."

Ais, finding strength in her sister's resolve, stepped forward from behind Althea. Her voice carried determination. "We won't be swayed by your lies. We will protect each other, no matter the cost."

Thanatos chuckled cynically—his amusement turning into a menacing grin. He pulled his hood up, concealing his eyes, and redirected his attention to the two sisters.

"Oh, I do love a good challenge. Let's see how long you can hold onto that determination, shall we? After all, I promised Valletta I'd clean up the loose ends if the invitation was rejected."

With a wave of his hand, the followers of the Evils who had accompanied Thanatos advanced. Several warriors emerged from the light fog, encircling the sisters.

""—!""

Althea and Ais huddled together, their grip tightening on their weapons. Back-to-back, they stood with one another as they faced their opponents.

Despite their past training sessions with each other, the sisters had little experience in actual combat against real adversaries.

As they surveyed the Evils' followers, Althea noticed that their presences seemed less intimidating compared to seasoned adventurers like Finn and Gareth. It was evident that they were low-level adversaries.

Althea exchanged a quick glance with Ais—silently conveying their shared realization. Although they lacked battle experience, they knew they had to stay focused and make the most of their abilities.

"Stay close, Ais," Althea whispered—her voice filled with resolve. "We need to do this together."

Ais nodded, her grip tightening on her sword. The sisters took a deep breath—centering themselves amidst the encroaching enemies.

However, Thanatos, seemingly ignoring Althea's calculations, spoke as if he existed in a different world.

"Ah, I just thought of something interesting," he said—snapping his fingers. A crescent smile appeared underneath his hood.

"Little Doll Princess Duo—let me give you two a present."

Althea and Ais looked at Thanatos suspiciously, their guards heightened. Even the Evils followers seemed flustered as they glanced at their god, unsure of his intentions. Thanatos raised a single arm over his head, his eyes narrowing.

"Just for you..."

The next instant, he unleashed the divine power he had been suppressing.

"――?!"

A dark-purple swirl became visible—the color of the God of Death—forming a small column of light as it pierced through the labyrinth's ceiling.

Immediately after, chaos ensued.

The first thing that occurred was an earthquake. The labyrinth's floor rumbled as if moaning or undulating in anger.

Althea immediately assessed the situation. She realized that the exit was now blocked due to a rockslide, which filled her with frustration.

Meanwhile, Ais tried to make sense of the situation, but it left her dumbfounded. The Evils followers shared the same reaction—unsure of how to proceed.

Thanatos paid them no mind—his smile remained unchanged. The god, who was simply accepting the unceasing tremors assaulting them, suddenly looked up.

"Ah, so this is what happens," he murmured.

Althea and Ais both looked up as well, and just as they did...

*crumble*

Their eyes widened as cracks formed in the labyrinth's ceiling. Fragments rained down, revealing the strange entity the dungeon had summoned.

Althea's eyes froze over, her heart pounding in her chest.

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Amidst the chaotic battle, Finn and the members of the Loki Familia fought valiantly against Valletta and her henchmen. Explosions rocked the area, filling the air with smoke and debris.

*clang* *clang* *clang*

The clash of weapons echoed through the chaos as Finn engaged in a fierce duel with Valletta. Their movements were a blur of skill and technique, each strike fueled by determination.

"Give it up, Valletta! Your reign of terror ends here!" Finn shouted—his voice resolute.

Valletta sneered—her eyes gleaming with malice. "Oh, but the fun has just begun, Braver. We will bring destruction to everything you hold dear!"

Their clash intensified, the sound of metal meeting metal filling the air. The remaining members of the Loki Familia fought with equal ferocity against the other followers of the Evils, their unity and strength shining through the chaos.

But then—

*Rumble*

A powerful earthquake shook the ground, catching everyone off guard. The tremors destabilized their footing, creating an opportunity for Valletta to make her escape.

With a wicked grin, Valletta pushed Finn back and swiftly retreated, disappearing into the chaos. Finn's frustration boiled over, but he quickly refocused his attention on the safety of his comrades.

"Everyone, regroup! We can't let Valletta escape!" Finn commanded, his voice projecting authority.

As the smoke cleared and the chaos settled, the members of the Loki Familia gathered together, assessing the situation.

"Captain! The Evils have launched an attack on the Industrial District! The Ganesha Familia is requesting immediate support!" a member of the Loki Familia appeared, bearing an emergency report.

Finn's eyes widened at the news. The Industrial District was the economic heart of Orario, and its destruction would have severe consequences for the city.

"We cannot abandon the Industrial District. We must protect it," Finn declared, his mind racing to formulate a plan.

Biting his thumb, he glanced over at Loki before unleashing a series of orders.

"Gareth, assemble a team of our fastest members and lead the support. I will take command of the overall operation," Finn instructed, his tone resolute.

"Aye!" Gareth acknowledged, ready to carry out the orders.

Finn turned to another member of the Familia. "You, send out the order for all members to rally. We will defend our city!"

"Understood, Captain!" the member responded, swiftly relaying the command.

With the plans set in motion, Gareth and the messenger hurriedly left, leaving Finn to face Riveria.

"Riveria, I need you to go and search for Althea and Ais in the dungeon. Find them and ensure their safety," Finn promptly commanded, concern etched on his face.

"Of course," Riveria replied, her gaze unwavering.

As the Loki Familia prepared to face the challenges ahead, Finn's mind was filled with a mixture of worry for the two sisters, determination to protect their city, and an unyielding resolve to overcome the threat posed by the Evils.

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Back in the depths of the dungeon, a shower of debris fell as a grotesque entity emerged from the ceiling.

Its appearance was nightmarish—sharp claws, long fangs, innumerable scales, and distorted, filmy wings adorned its jet-black body.

The sight of the creature sent shivers down the spines of the two sisters.

Ais struggled to find her voice, her grip on her sword tightening as her heart raced within her chest. "T-that's... that's... that's...!" she stammered, her voice trembling with fear and uncertainty.

In that moment, Althea's hand gently rested on Ais's shoulder, her gaze filled with unwavering determination.

"Don't worry, Ais. I'm here to protect you," Althea reassured, her voice steady and resolute.

Ais's eyes widened, her fear subsiding ever so slightly as she looked into her sister's eyes. The bond between them strengthened, and a flicker of hope reawakened within Ais's heart.

"Althea..." Ais whispered, her voice a mix of gratitude and passion to her sister.

With newfound courage, Ais steadied her trembling hands and took a deep breath. She faced the monstrous creature before them, her grip on her sword firm and unwavering.

Meanwhile, Thanatos, who was ignoring the two sisters, pulled out a silver orb that looks like a magic item from his breast pocket.

"Well then, have fun you two. I'll be leaving before I get torn to pieces."

Without even glancing at the thing on the ceiling, he turned away like an uninterested bystander. Taking the trembling, scared, panicking Evils followers with him, he headed deeper into the mist.

"Hey! Get back here, you coward!" Althea shouted at the fleeing Thanatos.

"You'll have to return to the heavens one step ahead of me—my dear girls." Thanatos parted his words as his black-robed figure disappeared into the fog.

From the shattered bedrock, a jet-black creature emerged, descending from the ceiling with an ominous presence. Its massive wings unfurled with a bone-chilling screech, sending shivers down the spines of the two sisters.

"—Ooooooooooooooooooooo!!"

A deafening roar reverberated through the chamber, causing Ais and Althea to instinctively cover their ears.

The resounding sound echoed in their minds, leaving an unsettling sensation behind. As they recovered from the overwhelming noise, their eyes remained fixed on the monstrous creature before them.

It was a draconic being—an overwhelming sight that defied logic, as such creatures were rarely seen on the upper floors of the dungeon. This one, however, possessed a pair of majestic wings, distinguishing it as a wyvern.

While wyverns typically found on the middle floors of the dungeon boasted pale-red scales, the creature before them was a rarity.

Its scales were a deep, obsidian black—a testament to its extraordinary strength and status as an Irregular, a subspecies harboring greater power than its counterparts.

Althea's voice trembled with a mixture of awe and resolve. "Ais, this is our chance to prove our strength and overcome this challenge together."

Ais nodded—her gaze firm and determined. "Yes, we will face this challenge head-on."

As the black wyvern flexed its powerful wings, preparing for an attack, the sisters steeled themselves. They stood side by side, their weapons at the ready, their spirits intertwined.

With a shared nod, the sisters charged forward, their hearts ablaze with the unyielding spirit of adventurers.

The clash between mortal and mythical unfolded, setting the stage for an epic battle that would test their bravery and shape their destinies.

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Amidst the fierce battle, Althea channeled her wind magic to support Ais in their encounter with the formidable wyvern. Their coordination and skills would be put to the ultimate test.

As the wyvern unleashed a torrent of black fire breath, Ais swiftly evaded, showcasing her nimble maneuvers to dodge the deadly flames.

Seizing the opportunity, Althea created a protective barrier of swirling wind, her Scutum Eurus spell deflecting the flames away from Ais, providing her with a moment to strike.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Ais unleashed a flurry of sword techniques, slashing and parrying with precise movements. However, the wyvern's thick scales proved to be a formidable defense, thwarting Ais' attacks.

Recognizing the need for a different approach, Althea conjured a concentrated bolt of arcane energy using her Arcane Bolt spell. The bolt bypassed the wyvern's defenses, striking it with force.

But the wyvern retaliated, lashing out with its tail and knocking Ais off balance. Acting swiftly, Althea encased the wyvern's tail in ice, momentarily immobilizing its attack with her Furor Borealis spell.

With the wyvern temporarily stunned, Ais seized the opportunity and struck its vulnerable spots with her sword techniques. Enraged, the wyvern unleashed a barrage of black fire breath, forcing Ais to evade quickly.

Determined to shift the momentum, Althea summoned a powerful gust of wind with her Tempest Lance spell, manifesting it as a spear-shaped projectile. The lance pierced through the wyvern's defenses, inflicting significant damage.

The battle raged on, with Althea providing support through defensive barriers and precise arcane bolts. Ais showcased her agility and sword mastery, evading attacks and striking with precision.

However, in a moment of unexpected danger, the wyvern launched an overwhelming tail strike, catching Althea off guard.

With lightning speed, Ais acted on instinct, pushing Althea out of harm's way and taking the hit herself, crashing against the chamber wall.

"Ais!!" Althea cried out in horror and anguish as she witnessed her sister lying motionless on the ground. The sight filled her with unimaginable rage and despair.

In that very moment, the dormant strength within Althea surged to the surface. The icy cold flame that resided within her burned brighter than ever before, consuming her senses.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!"

The unleashed power caused the air around Althea to quiver as her magic surged, a tempest of wind and ice swirling around her. Her eyes glowed with an intense blue light, reflecting the untamed fury within her.

The wyvern snarled heatedly as it glared at Althea and her cold wind. It then lunged towards her, ready to strike.

However, Althea slowly lifted her arm and emotionlessly muttered, "Tremble before the might of the Arctic Gale—Tempestas Borealis."

A blizzard of freezing winds and razor-sharp ice shards erupted from Althea's outstretched hand, enveloping the wyvern in a tempest of frigid fury.

"—Ooooooooooooooooooooo!!"

The wyvern screeched in agony as the relentless onslaught of wind and ice battered its scales.

Ultimately, the monster's entire body froze and shattered into millions of pieces, defeating it once and for all.

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After what felt like an eternity, Riveria finally reached the ninth floor, pushing through the debris that blocked her path. As she entered the chamber, her eyes widened in disbelief at the sight before her.

The room was covered in a layer of ice and mist, glistening like a winter wonderland. In the center of the room stood Althea, holding an unconscious Ais in her arms.

Riveria's heart skipped a beat as she rushed towards them, concern etched on her face. "What happened here, Althea? Is your sister alright?"

Althea looked up, her expression filled with both exhaustion and triumph. "Don't worry, Riveria. Ais is safe. I already healed her wounds, and she's sleeping peacefully."

Relief washed over Riveria as she realized that Ais was completely fine. She placed a hand on Althea's shoulder, offering her support.

"Let's get Ais back to the surface. Finn and the others will be relieved to see her," Riveria said, her voice filled with reassurance.

Althea nodded, her weariness lifting as determination filled her gaze. Together, they carefully carried Ais out of the frozen chamber, their bond as a Familia stronger than ever before.